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Ticce Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

Past perfect and its possible meanings

1 When Tim arrived in New York he had had a bike for two weeks.

a) Does it mean that during the two weeks leading to his arrival he had a bike?
or
b) Does it mean that during some two weeks before his arrival he had a bike?

I think a is correct. Do you agree? or can it be either a or b?

2 Before Tim arrived in New York he had had a bike for two weeks.
I think it means b

He had had his bike for some two weeks before his arrival (not the two leading to his arrival)

3 Tim had had a bike for the last two weeks before he arrived in New York.
Possible?
4 Tim had had a bike for the last two weeks when he arrived in New York.
Possible?

  

Top answer

Ticce 1 When Tim arrived in New York he had had a bike for two weeks. a) Does it mean that during the two weeks leading to his arrival he had a bike? or b) Does it mean that during some two weeks before his arrival he had a bike?

— GPY

  • Ticce 1 When Tim arrived in New York he had had a bike for two weeks.
  • a) Does it mean that during the two weeks leading to his arrival he had a bike?
  • or b) Does it mean that during some two weeks before his arrival he had a bike?
  • I think a is correct.
  • Do you agree?
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1 Answers
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Ticce1 When Tim arrived in New York he had had a bike for two weeks.
a) Does it mean that during the two weeks leading to his arrival he had a bike?
or
b) Does it mean that during some two weeks before his arrival he had a bike?
I think a is correct. Do you agree? or can it be either a or b?

(b) seems a pretty unlikely interpretation. Normal

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